What's So G.R.E.A.T.S About Ancient Greece
 By: Esha Shah, Sam Conley, Paige Hanlon, and Hayel Abdulghani

Map of Greece (1750 BC-133 BC)

(Layout by Esha Shah)
Government (By Hayel Abdulghani)

• In 508 B.C, a Greek statesman named Cleisthenes implemented reforms that led to the beginning of democracy in Athens
• Democracy remained in Athens from 508 to 332 B.C. During this period, it was called a "radical" or direct democracy
• The word democracy came from the Greek words demos and kratos. Demos meant the people, and kratos meant power. The people of Athens used the word demokratia to explain what type of government they had
• The democracy in Athens was strict; the only people that can vote in the government were male citizens 18 and above, and they can be citizens only if both parents were citizens. Women, slaves and strangers were not allowed to participate in the government.
• The government started to fall apart after the First Battle of Chaeronea, where the armies of Athens and Thebes were crushed by the Macedonian army of Philip the Second, under the command of Alexander the Great
• Macedonia took over Athens and forced them under their rule, resulting into the end of the direct democracy in Athens.

The Parthenon

http://www.cornellcollege.edu/Classical_Studies/ariadne/graphics/images/parthenon.jpg

Religion (By Esha Shah)

• The Greeks believed that the "12 Olympians were the highest gods in the Greek Pantheon" (World History: Ancient and Medieval Era)
• The world was supposedly split into three parts and each part was ruled by one of the big three brothers- Zeus ruled the sky, Poseidon ruled the seas, oceans, and Earth, while Hades had control over the Underworld
• Mount Olympus, the home of the Olympians, was thought to have been located on the highest mountain in Greece, which is located in Thessely
• The 12 main gods were-
  • Zeus- the ruler of the sky and weathe

    The 12 Olympians

    r

    Mt. Olympus

  • Hera- the goddess of marriage and childbirth
  • Apollo- the god of Law, music, poetry
  • Artemis- the goddess of hunting and protector of girls
  • Hephaestus- the god of weaponry and tools
  • Dionysus- the god of wine and vegetation
  • Aphrodite- the goddess of love and fertility
  • Poseidon- the god of the sea, horses, earthquakes
  • Demeter- the goddess of harvest
  • Hermes- the god of merchants, trickery, protector of flocks and guide to the Underworld
  • Ares- the god of wars
  • Athena- the goddess of wisdom, war, chastity
  • In addition there are many minor gods
• 
  
• All the Olympians possessed many qualities. they are "immortal though they can be wounded, un-aging once they have reached their final developmental stage, knowledgeable but not omniscient, and powerful but not omnipotent" (Relationship of gods and humans)
• The gods had human-like qualities too, such as hatred, jealousy, love, etc, they also wanted acknowledgment and feared neglect, they weren't perfect
• They also kept the humans in check, if there was an evil man or woman present in a city or town they would be visited with some disaster, courtesy of Zeus
• In addition the gods had offspring with mortals, the offspring would be half- god half- mortal, a demigod
• The humans offered sacrifices, prayers, and ceremonies to please the gods and to ask for favors
• The Greeks believed that "many things in the world that are beyond human control lie within the control of the gods, and if the gods are so disposed, they can influence the world in the direction of human wishes, making life enjoyable, or at least endurable, or they can make it miserable" (Relationships of gods and humans)
• The Greeks created many myths about the gods and the demigod heroes
• Many alters and temples were made to worship the gods
• The Family Tree for the Greek gods

Greek Gods Family Tree

Greek Currency

Economy (By Hayel Abdulghani)

• Lydia, now-known as present Turkey, was located in the middle of important trade routes that linked the kingdoms of Greece and Anatolia
• Hellespont, a very narrow strait that divided Europe from Asia, was used by the Greeks as a path to an important trade route.
• The Greeks often traded with the Persians, Romans or any of the neighboring kingdoms

Arts (By Sam Conley)

Apollo.jpg

• Made lots of sculptures of people

  olympics.gif

• In the classical era Greek artists began work that are more lifelike and realistic
• One style is the classic style that was the search for balance and perfection
• Mycenaean art is the first era in that we find surviving examples of Greek art which is from around 1550 BC to 1200 BC
• The classic style also had a influence on late European culture
• Every four years the Greek olympics games are held at Olympia

Technology (By Paige Hanlon)

GreekTechnology 2 million years ago, the Stone Age started. That kicked off technological growth. It ended around 4000 BC. The Bronze Age came after, around 3000 BC. After that came the Iron Age at 1000 BC. ‍Stone Age images-1.jpeg The Stone Age was split into three groups: the Paleolithic Age (Old Stone Age), Mesolithic Age (Middle Stone Age), and Neolithic Age (New Stone Age). Paleolithic Age Paleolithic people were hunters and gatherers, so they required tools. They would make stone weapons. images-2.jpeg Mesolithic Age During this period in time, between the Paleolithic and Neolithic Ages, people have found ways to condition their weapons so they survive through the changing seasons. Neolithic Age Neolithic people had discover agriculture by this point. They then began to make stone tools made for farming. ‍Bronze Age The Bronze Age brought more powerful and effective weapons along with longer lasting tools. It was also used as armor for soldiers. Even though bronze was great for tools, it was also expensive and scarce. Most people couldnt afford it. ‍ ‍Iron Age The Iron Age was the best time. Iron was discovered and quickly replaced bronze almost completely. Iron is lightweight, common, and not as expensive as bronze. Iron was used by crafters, farmers, soldiers, et cetera. Iron was durable and could last awhile so it made good farm tools and crafters tools, along with weapons.
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Society (By Sam Conely)

• The social classes were broken down to the wealthy, the free people, and the slaves
• The social classes were only for the men. The women took the social class from their husband.
• A majority of people made a living by farming
• Popular things that were picked by farmers were grapes and olives

Greek society

Acheivements

• Established the 1st democracy
• Influenced modern architecture
• Established the Olympics
• Created Greek epics, like the Iliad
• Created a rich culture based on art, architecture, and religion